News at A Glimmer of Hope

Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC and the Women’s Cancer Research Center are grateful for A Glimmer of Hope’s past grants benefitting thousands of women and their families. Advancing our clinical and research programs, together, we are working diligently to understand the immediate and complex needs of our patients. Because of our joint effort, we can provide hope, support and the best care possible.

A Glimmer of Hope, 100 + Men Who Care, Expand Reach of AHN Program Helping Younger Breast Cancer Patients

August 2018

WEXFORD, PA - Thanks to local philanthropic group 100 + Men Who Care and local breast cancer advocacy organization A Glimmer of Hope, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) is expanding a program that uses integrative medicine techniques to help younger breast cancer patients cope with the disease.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Automated breast ultrasound (ABUS), the only breast cancer screening technology specifically developed and FDA-approved for women with dense breast tissue, is now available to patients at Allegheny Health Network (AHN).

Dense breast tissue makes it more difficult to detect small breast cancers on a mammogram, and the estimated 40 percent of women who have dense breasts are at a slightly higher risk for breast cancer. For these women, new and improved screening tools are critical.

Larry’s Hometown Heroes

Larry’s Hometown Heroes was held on Thursday, March 2, 2017 with CBS News Chief White House Correspondent Major Garrett as the keynote speaker. Ordinary citizens. Extraordinary deeds. Larry Richert hosted this event and recognizes five Hometown Heroes who have made a difference in this region and one Lifetime Hero.

Breast Cancer Care As Individual As Everyone Woman

As we enter October it is always with great “Hope” that this is the October that a major breakthrough in breast cancer research brings us the cure. Please watch this video and know “YOU” are the reason that we have been successful. The support you all have shown Glimmer is remarkable. Very grateful…

Glimmer of Hope has just donated $220,000 to fund innovative imaging equipment and patient driven care along with breast cancer research. This money will stay in western Pennsylvania and benefit our community.

Supporting Bid for Hope will allow us to continue supporting these important programs in Western Pennsylvania.

Choose A Glimmer of Hope Foundation as your charity of choice when giving to UNITED WAY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY! Glimmer of Hope's number for donations is #1320081.

Hurdle Shares Inspiring Story At “Pitch for Hope” Clinic

Before the Pirates squared off against Philadelphia in a Sunday afternoon game back on June 5,
more than 170 female fans from across the region took to the diamond at PNC Park to be part of an
instructional baseball clinic called the “Pitch For Hope” clinic.

Bright and early at 8:30 a.m., the women began their day by stretching with Frank Velasquez,
the Pirates head strength and conditioning coach, in preparation for work at four different
instructional stations that focused on pitching, hitting, base running and fielding. The women
practiced at the stations while receiving instruction from Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle and five
members of his coaching staff -- Bench Coach Jeff Banister, Third Base Coach Nick Leyva, First
Base Coach Luis Silverio, Bullpen Coach Euclides Rojas and Pitching Coach Ray Searage -- plus
pitcher Paul Maholm and outfielder Jose Tabata.

After the on-field portion of the event was over, the women were treated to a catered picnic on
The Deck above the Trib Total Media Hall of Fame Club in left field, and then stayed to watch the
Pirates take on the Phillies. Proceeds from the “Pitch For Hope” clinic benefited Glimmer of Hope, a
Pittsburgh-based organization that funds the only under-40 breast cancer study in the country.

During the time Hurdle has been the skipper of the Pirates, he has displayed a dynamic personality.
His energy, sense of humor and candor help him command attention, and he wowed the crowd at
the “Pitch For Hope” clinic. During his opening remarks, Hurdle shared the fact that his own mother
-- Louise -- is a breast cancer survivor.

“I got a call from my dad on Valentine’s Day in 1991 that I needed to come home because he had
some information that he needed to get to me,” Hurdle said. “When I got home he sat me down and
told me that my mother had breast cancer and that they were going to figure out a way to go at it,
attack it and hopefully get her in a much better position.

“It was the first time that I had seen my father cry to that point in my life. I was 34 years old and
I had never seen a tear drop out of my father’s eye. He was visibly shaken, but after that my mom
went about the radiation treatments. They took that route and did 25 radiation treatments. And 20
years later now, my mother is still pushing forward and doing great.

“That’s been a great victory for our family. So obviously we’re sensitive to cancer research,
providing hope, seeking a cure for cancer -- all of that. So anything that we can do as a family to
back it, we’re all in.”

Diana Napper, who founded Glimmer of Hope, was impressed with Hurdle and said he was an
inspiration to the women at the clinic who are battling cancer.

“What that did was give women who were newly diagnosed a great deal of hope that, ‘Hey if Clint’s
mother is alive that long then I can be alive that long too,’” she said. “He was very uplifting to the
women there who are going through treatment. As far as being a motivational speaker or person, he
radiates positive energy. You see it in his team and you also saw it among these women.

“People might put Clint Hurdle on a pedestal for his ability to win baseball games. We do that with
a lot of people that are in sports. We say, ‘Wow this guy is really a great catcher or a great pitcher
or a great coach.’ But it’s the good they do for the community that, to me, sets them apart from
everybody else and I really see that with Clint. He’s a tremendous person.”

Pirates Charities donated $10,000 to Glimmer Of Hope as a result of the “Pitch For Hope” clinic
and Napper said the money will be put towards the upgrading of ultrasound equipment that’s used to
detect breast cancer at Allegheny General Hospital and West Penn Allegheny Health System.

“I always receive a few e-mails after any event, but I received a lot of e-mails after this one,”
Napper said. “I’m telling you this was one of the nicest experiences that a lot of these women have
had and I just think it says a lot about the Pirates organization. Pittsburghers are a different
breed. They love to support other Pittsburghers, and the Pirates are a great example of that.”

Trinity Jewelers

Glimmer of Hope Foundation raises funds for breast cancer research right here in Pittsburgh. Help the fight against the insidious disease of breast cancer that effects so many lives. Please share with your friends and family, as we work together to raise up to $1500 for Glimmer of Hope! Please hit like on Trinity's facebook page and spread Hope with a click. Thank you!

Trinity Jewelers has been a tremendous supporter of Glimmer of Hope Foundation. They have helped us support young women battling breast cancer at Magee Womens Hospital.

Special Thanks to Heath and Katie Miller and the Pittsburgh Steeler organization for allowing our mission of "Hope" to spread across the country. It is with a grateful heart we post this message and acknowledge all the good you do in the community. Thank you for a great season.